The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Roger Federer

  • Roger Federer vs. Marian Cilic: From Holiday hit to Australian Open Final

    Two months after practising together on holiday in the Maldives, Roger Federer and Marin Cilic will face off for the second time in three grand slam finals at the Australian Open.

    Cilic comfortably defeated Kyle Edmund while Federer did not even have to complete his semi-final after Chung Hyeon retired with severe blisters trailing 6-1 5-2, to the shock and disappointment of the crowd on Rod Laver Arena.

    He said: “I thought the first set was kind of normal, I couldn’t tell what was going on with my opponent. In the second set I started to feel he was getting a bit slower, fighting with the blisters.

    “I’ve played with blisters in the past and it hurts a lot. At one point it’s too much. It’s better to stop. This feels bittersweet. I’m incredibly happy to be in the finals but not like this.”

    Federer continues to reset the record books and will go for a 20th grand slam title in his 30th final.

    Today’s match will be a repeat of last summer’s Wimbledon final – when coincidentally Cilic was in tears because of blisters. But they have faced each other more recently and in more unusual surroundings.

    Federer said of their holiday practice date: “I was there first and he arrived later on the island. I was told that Marin was coming. I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool’.

    “When he arrived, I didn’t want to bother him. He didn’t want to bother me. After two days, he wrote to me: ‘I’m here, too, in case you want to catch up and stuff, let me know’. I was like, ‘Sure, let me know if you want to hit’.

    “He was eager to hit because it’s good to stay in the rhythm for both of us. We also met up later for drinks, I met his fiancée. We had cake together, my whole family and him. We had a good time.

    “We actually went to practice twice for 45 minutes. It was great fun. No coaches, no nothing, just the two of us on the court hitting balls. It was just nice and laid back. To get to know the man behind the tennis player, I guess.”

    Chung was bidding to become just the third Asian player to reach a grand slam final after former Australian Open champion Li Na and Kei Nishikori, and he had shown, particularly with his victory over Novak Djokovic in the fourth round, that he possesses the game to trouble the best.

    The Korean will have bigger and better days at slams in the future but this was a difficult experience from the moment he dropped serve in the opening game.

    He gave no indication that he was struggling physically until calling for a medical time-out at 1-4 in the second set, although he was completely unable to match Federer, who bullied the Korean with his forehand.

    It emerged afterwards that Chung had been struggling with multiple blisters for several days and an injection to try to numb the pain was not successful.

    The 21-year-old said: “It really hurt. I can’t walk any more. I think I did the right thing. If I play bad on the court, it’s not good for the fans as well. I’m happy to be able to make semis in a grand slam. I want to be stronger next year.”

    PAST ENCOUNTER: FEDERER Vs. CILIC

    * 2017 ATP Finals, hard, round-robin, Federer 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-1

    * 2017 Wimbledon, grass, final, Federer 6-3 6-1 6-4

    * 2016 Wimbledon, grass, QF, Federer 6-7 (4-7) 4-6 6-3 7-6 (11-9) 6-3

    * 2014 US Open, hard, SF, Cilic 6-3 6-4 6-4

    * 2014 Canada, hard, R16, Federer 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-4

    * 2012 Shanghai, hard, QF, Federer 6-3 6-4

    * 2011 US Open, hard, R32, Federer 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-2

    * 2011 Monte Carlo, clay, R16, Federer 6-4 6-3

    * 2008 Paris, hard, R16, Federer 6-3 6-4

  • Federer powers into  30th Grand Slam final

    Federer powers into  30th Grand Slam final

     

    Roger Federer is within sight of an incredible 20th Grand Slam title after Hyeon Chung abruptly retired during their Australian Open semi-final.

    The 21-year-old Korean stopped and shook hands when 6-1 5-2 down to the Swiss master due to severe blistering on the bottom of his left foot.

    That is not dissimilar to what happened in the Wimbledon final against the man Federer now faces, Croatian Marin Cilic, who on Thursday ousted Kyle Edmund.

    It will be their second meeting in the final of the last three Grand Slams, and Federer will be perfectly fresh. He has not dropped a set en route to what is his seventh final at Melbourne Park.

    Federer was given an easy workout by the Korean, and it was all over after just 63 minutes, much to the obvious disappointment of the crowd inside Rod Laver Arena.

    ‘I know he has had a problem with a blister, I’ve played with them a lot and they hurt a lot,’ said Federer.

    ‘It is better to stop. I’m incredibly happy to be in the final but not like this. He has had such a wonderful tournament.

    ‘His attitude, he was fighting until the end. I knew something was wrong. He has great composure; I think he is going to achieve next level excellence. I can see why he beat Novak (Djokovic) and (Alex) Zverev.’

    As with Edmund, Chung’s retirement is a reminder of how physically gruelling it can be to make the latter stages of a Grand Slam.

    Last year Federer arrived after a six-month lay-off before winning the title. Asked how he would have reacted then when being told he would be on the cusp of yet another triumph he replied: ‘Nice joke.

    ‘I wouldn’t be thinking this way, I know how hard it is to win any major. I didn’t give up hope but I would have taken one more major before I retired, now I’ve got two more and one match away from another.’

     

     

     

     

     

  • Federer breezes through opener in Melbourne

    Federer breezes through opener in Melbourne

    Defending champion Roger Federer got quickly into his majestic stride with a straight-sets win over Slovenian Aljaz Bedene, in his opening match at the Australian Open on Tuesday.

    The 36-year-old Swiss turned the evening clash on Rod Laver Arena into an exhibition as he breezed past Bedene with consummate ease 6-3 6-4 6-3.

    A single break in each set was enough for Federer who looked in total control from beginning to end.

    The world number two is bidding for a 20th grand slam title after claiming his 18th here last year and 19th at Wimbledon.

    He broke Bedene’s serve in the fourth game of the first set in which he conceded only three points on his serve.

    Federer pounced immediately at the start of the second to gain another break and cantered through the rest of the match against a player who he had never played before.

    One member of the sell-out crowd yelled “Give him a chance Rog” late on, but the Swiss was not listening and finished the match on Bedene’s serve when his opponent netted a backhand.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Federer teams up with Spider-Man in kids Day

    Federer teams up with Spider-Man in kids Day

     

    Roger Federer is no stranger to performing superhuman feats on the tennis court so it wasn’t a surprise when he and Milos Raonic were joined by a couple of superheroes during ‘Kids Day’ ahead of the Australian Open.

    As the two tennis stars limbered up in front of a packed arena, Marvel heroes Spider-Man and Thor had the chance to show off their skills with the racket during the family-friendly event.

    Caroline Wozniacki and Novak Djokovic also joined in with the activities during the light-hearted event in Melbourne.

    The action-packed annual ‘Kids Day’ saw a huge turnout as the crowd was treated to dancing, mini-games and the main stars themselves on Saturday.

    The weekend event was free to all spectators who have a Open ticket, ahead of the Grand Slam tournament next week.

    Federer will be looking to defend his Australian Open title once the event begins on Monday.

    The Open has already seen a number of high-profile stars pull out due to injury as Andy Murray and Serena Williams are unable to compete.

    Defending champion Federer who is current world number two opens his Aussie open campaign Tuesday against Slovenia’s Aljaz  Bedene in the first round, while world number one Rafael Nadal opens against Victor Estrella Burgos.

    In the women’s draw, Australia’s leading hopes fared well but some of the rising stars copped nasty draws — none more so than teenager Destanee Aiava, who will face top seed and current world No.1 Simona Halep in the first round.

    This year’s Australian Open field is wide open following the decision by 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams not to defend her title in Melbourne, saying she was not quite ready to compete after giving birth in September.

  • I almost lost sanity after retirement – Totti

    I almost lost sanity after retirement – Totti

    Former Italy striker Francesco Totti on Thursday said accepting the end of a legendary footballing career was tough.

    He told newsmen that “at the beginning, I was talking to myself like a madman, I’m injured, I’m suspended, I’ll be back in a kit soon, though I’ve got used to it now.”

    Totti said he struggled with switching off from a routine of “waking up early, having breakfast and then going to training, like a machine.

    “Now I have to plan my days. The impact has not been easy, though I still train every day to let off a bit of steam and to stay fit.

    “If I let myself go, I’ll go up to 300 kilogrammes, for now, I’ve put on at most a couple.”

    The 41-year-old hung up his boots in May, breaking down in tears after a 3-2 home win against Genoa that sealed his 25-year playing career with Roma, his boyhood club.

    Read also:  Pallotta – Totti to be technical director

    He has no regrets at turning down offers from Real Madrid, the Emirates and the United States.

    “I would have made lots of money, but I would have ruined a 25-year-old love affair with Roma,’’ he said.

    Totti said that out of current stars he prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, and singled out tennis champion Roger Federer as his sporting hero, who “does not even sweat when he plays.”

    If Roma, currently in fourth position, do not win the league this season, Totti said he fancied Serie A leaders Napoli, because he liked the idea of the Scudetto going to a southern Italian club.

    He also said that starting out a new career as a coach was not a “priority now,” aside from following the football career of his 12-year-old son, Cristian.

    “I let him do his thing and I don’t say anything to him. In about three or four years, I’ll see what he’s truly made of,’’ Totti said.

    NAN

  • Federer crashes out of ATP Finals in London

    Federer crashes out of ATP Finals in London

     

    Roger Federer suffered a dramatic loss to end his historic season when Belgium’s David Goffin staged a most unlikely comeback to beat him in the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals.

    The 36-year-old Swiss was in sublime form in the first set but his level dropped in the second and the seventh seed, who at times this week has looked weary and even injured, found enough in the decider to score a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

    Goffin, thrashed midweek 6-0, 6-2 by Dimitrov, served it out nervelessly as the Swiss seemed to slow up, and failed to recover from an early break of serve in the decider.

    For most of 2017 he has looked like a 26 year-old, but revealed himself as someone of 36 on what was his final day of the season.

    As for Goffin, he still has the Davis Cup final to come next week, and at times here has looked like he was saving himself for that.

    ‘I’m so happy, it was a special moment I cannot describe,’ he said after a first win in seven attempts versus the Swiss. ‘I was feeling the ball really well and was a bit nervous starting the match. I was nervous at the end but did some great serves.’

  • Federer eyes 7th ATP Finals title, after Shanghai triumph

    Federer eyes 7th ATP Finals title, after Shanghai triumph

    Roger Federer is eyeing a seventh ATP Finals crown and has not ruled out pinching the world no. one ranking from Rafa Nadal, if he maintains the form that won him his second Shanghai Masters trophy on Sunday.

     Federer the 19-times grand slam winner claimed his 94th title and sixth this year with an emphatic defeat of Nadal in the Shanghai final and is hungry for a first ATP Finals win since 2011.

    “London is my priority now and I really want to win the World Tour Finals,”  the evergreen 36-year-old told Sky Sports.

    “I am very excited to have had the year that I have had and everything that comes from here is a bonus.

    “Finishing the year as world no. one is a long shot and I don’t think it will happen, but if I play like this, who knows?

    “Maybe I will get close again.”

    Shangai was Federer’s first tournament since the U.S. Open and the confidence he gained from his opening matches helped him through a taxing schedule.

    “It’s been a tough week, five straight matches is always a test and a challenge for anybody’s body, especially with the pressure rising,” he said.

    “I felt I was playing well all week and that settled my nerves because I was returning well from the (opening) match here against (Diego) Schwartzman.

    “The serve only got better and I saved the best for last … In a way, not surprising because I felt good all week — I was ready.”

    The Swiss next headlines his home Basel International starting Oct. 21.

    NAN

  • Nadal and Federer ease through in Shanghai

    Nadal and Federer ease through in Shanghai

    Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer resumed their battle for the year-end number one ranking, with imperious victories to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday.

    Top seed Nadal extended his winning streak to 13 matches with a 6-2 6-1 defeat of America’s Jared Donaldson in the Qi Zhong Stadium.

    Shortly after the brilliant display by Nadal, world number two Federer, got the better of Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 7-6(4) 6-4.

    Nadal, who leads Federer by 2,370 points going into the home straight of a season in which the two old rivals have shared out the game’s biggest prizes, was unstoppable against Donaldson and needed only 54 minutes to prevail.

    “It was a very quick match in all aspects.

    “If the year-end ranking happens, it will be, I think, a very important achievement for me.

    “With so many years of difference, I think it is something very difficult, but there remains work to do,’’ Nadal, bidding to end a year on top for the fourth time in his career, said.

    He last finished the year as world number one in 2013.

    Federer shows no sign of giving up the chase, but had to battle hard against Schwartzman – letting slip a break in the first set to get dragged into a tiebreak.

    The 36-year-old Swiss always had an extra shot in his locker though and, having taken the opener, broke serve straight away in the second set to move toward victory.

    He finished the contest with his 14th ace, setting up a third round clash against Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.
    “It was a good win.

    “I knew he was dangerous. I could have closed the first set out earlier, but I started the second set very well,” Federer said.

    Spaniard, Nadal, who like Federer has won the Shanghai title once, will face Italy’s Fabio Fognini next.

    Eighth seed David Goffin’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals suffered a blow when he lost 7-6(4) 6-3 to Gilles Simon, while sixth seed Grigor Dimitrov had to save match points on the way to beating Ryan Harrison 3-6 6-3 7-6(6).

    Seventh seed Pablo Carreno Busta also went out, losing 7-5 7-5 to fellow Spaniard, Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

    NAN

  • Djokovic beats Federer as highest earning Tennis player

    Djokovic beats Federer as highest earning Tennis player

    Who is the highest paid tennis player in the world among Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and others ?

    According to the latest figures revealed by Business Insider Roger Federer may well be the greatest men’s tennis player of all time, but he surprisingly does not lead the list of highest earners.

    Novak Djokovic, the 12-time grand slam champion, may have fewer titles than his Swiss rival but his dominance over the past half-decade or so, just as prize money has increased sees him top the list of all-time earners.

    The Serb has claimed $109.8m (£83m) in on-court earnings, compared to Federer in second ($107.8) and Rafael Nadal in third ($86.2m), according to figures revealed by Business Insider.

    Highlighting the disparity between male and female tennis players is Serena Williams, who has won 23 grand slam titles (compared to Federer’s 19), in fourth place with $84.4m.

    Her sister Venus is the second-highest earning women’s player with $37.9m while Maria Sharapova is third on $36.5m

    Federer beaten by brilliant Del Potro in US Open quarter-finals

    Britain’s Andy Murray is fifth on the overall list, having earned $60.8m through his three grand slams and 45 other titles.

    Whoever wins the US Open this weekend will have a good chance to move up the list.

    The tournament in New York is set to hand out the highest total of prize money in the history of tennis – with the winners of the singles events picking up $3.7m each from the $50.4m prize pot.

    View the 20 top earning tennis players of all time in the list below:

    1. Novak Djokovic – $109.8m
    2. Roger Federer – $107.7m
    3. Rafael Nadal – $86.2m
    4. Serena Williams – $84.4m
    5. Andy Murray – $60.8m
    6. Pete Sampras – $43.2m
    7. Venus Williams – $37.9m
    8. Maria Sharapova – $36.5m
    9. Andre Agassi – $31.1m
    10. David Ferrer – $30.6m
    11. Stan Wawrinka – $30.6m
    12. Victoria Azarenka – $28.4m
    13. Tomas Berdych – $28m
    14. Agnieszka Radwańska – $26.6m
    15. Boris Becker – $25m
    16. Kim Clijsters – $24.4m
    17. Caroline Wozniacki – $24.2m
    18. Martina Hingis – $23.9m
    19. Yevgeny Kafelnikov – $23.8m
    20. Svetlana Kuznetsova – $23.8m
  • Del Potro downs Federer for U.S. Open semi-final place

    Del Potro downs Federer for U.S. Open semi-final place

    Roger Federer’s hopes of claiming a record-extending 20th Grand Slam title ended on Wednesday when he was beaten 5-7 6-3 6(8)-7 4-6 by Juan Martin del Potro at the U.S. Open.

    Del Potro, who swept aside Federer in the 2009 final at this same Flushing Meadows, now faces world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain in Friday’s semi-finals.

    It was a victory which has now denied fans a potential first encounter between the Swiss maestro and the Spaniard in New York.

    Federer had predicted that he would need to overcome Del Potro’s serve, forehand and fighting spirit to advance to the semi-finals.

    On Wednesday in this thrilling U.S. Open quarter-final, he was dead right.

    The Argentine hit huge forehands, big serves and stayed focused when Federer seemed to be back in control in a one-sided second set.

    “I think I played my best match of the tournament, I did everything well,’’ said the 24th seeded Argentine.

    “I served so good, I hit my forehand as hard as I could and I think we played a great match and I think I deserved to win.’’

    Del Potro enjoyed strong support from the sold-out 23,771 crowd on Arthur Ashe under the lights, with a spine-chilling roar welcoming his victory.

    “I think it’s my home court, too. You make me feel happy every time I play here and I love your support guys. I love to see you cheer for me,” he told the crowd.

    “After all my injuries and surgeries … New York is my favourite tournament, my favourite city to play tennis.”

    Federer had tried to stay away from Del Potro’s lethal forehand throughout the match, but with the Argentine’s first-serve percentage at 79 in the first set, he had no chance to break.

    With the Swiss struggling with his own serve, the lanky Argentine had one opportunity at 5-5 when the Swiss hit a double fault.

    He then punished him with a splendid forehand passing shot.

    Del Potro sealed the opening set in the next game with another a big forehand winner.

    Federer, who has been hampered by back problems, barely sat during the period between sets.

    He broke for 3-1 with a forehand passing shot as Del Potro started to struggle with his first serve and the Swiss effortlessly claimed the set.

    The momentum shifted again, however, and Federer dropped his serve in the second game of the third set when he served another double fault.

    He saved another break point in the fourth game, setting up one for himself in the seventh, which Del Potro gave away with a double fault.

    The set went into a tiebreak and Federer moved 6-4 up to earn two set points.

    But Del Potro saved them with a stunning service return on the baseline and a mighty serve.

    A Del Potro double fault gave the Swiss another chance but he made a mess of a backhand half volley.

    On the fourth set point, the Argentine stayed in contention, thanks to a forehand winner.

    It was then the Argentine who had a set point on Federer’s serve, did not flinch, returning brilliantly again to force the Swiss to hit a volley long.

    Del Potro then broke for 3-2 with a jaw-dropping crosscourt backhand winner.

    Federer was on the brink of defeat when he trailed 0-30 on his serve at 5-3 and while he regained his composure to win the game the momentum had shifted.

    Del Potro clinched the match with yet another forehand winner in the next game.